What is life? (refer to George Harrison tune for more information)

I find it odd, how life shows itself to be so paradoxical - that contradictory mixture of stability and serendipity. On some level, there is a homey, safe feel to everyday. That familiar way we slide into our daily groove, those morning routines that help us jump-start our days.

But, then, there are those chocolate chip occurrences that are dropped into the mix of days, that add joy and flavor to random bites of living. This is the part of being I have come to cherish - a perspective learned and earned - after my more than half-century of living.

It is that "just right" recipe of existence that contains just enough spice to clear my palette, while avoiding the "too much" that would send me screaming from the room. Now, there is no doubt life sometimes contains those days, those seasons that shake us down to our bones. And, God knows, we need those, too. But that can be the topic for another day. Because today, is about how durable - but at the same time how wondrous - is this thing we call humanity.

It is that truly miraculous mixture of dark and light, happy and sad, yin and yang, we call living. It is the wonder - not only of who we are or who we were - but of who we are becoming. Because, if we do not resist it, if we allow it, it is the amazing inevitability of being reborn.

Again and again, life makes us and remakes us. And it is this singular fact, this universally shared experience - that brings us together. It is in these shared moments - around a kitchen table or a cup of tea - that we are most alive.

Because it is at these times we know, we are convinced, that it all makes sense. It all matters.

Because for that instant, we understand - we feel it so deeply that we can barely breathe it - just how massive, and beautiful, and holy is this thing called life.

And even greater, still, there is this extraordinary gift.

We are in it - all of it - together. We are never alone.

On your darkest day, remember this. (note to self)

dg

7/25/10

21st Avenue Starbucks

Sent from my iPad

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